2
: any of a small genus (Rynchops) of long-winged marine birds that have the lower mandible longer than the upper
3
: a usually straw flat-crowned hat with a wide straight brim
4
: a fitted sleeveless dress with a usually flaring skirt
5
: a device that is attached to an electronic card reader (as on an ATM) and used to obtain data (such as a credit card number) secretly and illicitly
The credit union said someone had fitted a skimmer over the ATM card slot to collect information on inserted cards but the company said it wasn't sure how many cards had been affected at this time.—
The Leader-Herald (Gloversville, NewYork)
The Leader-Herald (Gloversville, NewYork)Once you put your card in, the device, called a skimmer, reads and records all the account information stored on the magnetic strip, and even retrieves your PIN as you punch it into the keypad.—Mary Hunt
Mary HuntExamples of skimmer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ditch the handheld net for a surface skimmer to collect debris 24/7.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 1 June 2025
Crews began flushing the drain system to direct residual fuel toward areas where skimmers could collect it, according to officials.
—Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Truckers who filled up at the Flying J Travel Center in north Aurora last week may be victims of credit card skimmers installed at four gasoline pumps, police say.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 7 June 2025
Aurora police wrote in a social media post that the skimmers were installed between May 25 and May 31 at the gas station, near Interstate 70 and Airport Boulevard.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for skimmer
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cody Godwin, USA Today, 1 June 2025
Crews began flushing the drain system to direct residual fuel toward areas where skimmers could collect it, according to officials.
—Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Truckers who filled up at the Flying J Travel Center in north Aurora last week may be victims of credit card skimmers installed at four gasoline pumps, police say.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 7 June 2025
Aurora police wrote in a social media post that the skimmers were installed between May 25 and May 31 at the gas station, near Interstate 70 and Airport Boulevard.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for skimmer
Cite this Entry
“Skimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skimmer. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
skimmer
noun
skim·mer
ˈskim-ər 
: one that skims
especially
: a flat scoop or spoon with holes that is used for skimming
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share